Indexing rates can
be quoted by the page, by the entry, by the line in the index, or by
the
hour, depending on client preferences and project complexity. Factors
affecting
rates include the audience (general public, student, professional),
page
size and density of material (number of index entries per page), time
frame
(rush jobs may require an extra rush fee), among other
considerations.

The
most common billing
method is based on a page rate for indexable pages, which are pages
containing material the indexer is expected to index. The number of
indexable
pages in a work may or may not include pages for front matter,
appendices,
glossaries, etc. The rate per indexable page is based on such factors
as
page size and density of material (number of index entries per page),
the
content to be indexed (text, figures, tables, etc.), the subject, and
the
time frame (rush jobs may require an extra rush fee).

"The labour and patience, the judgement and penetration which are
required to make a good index, is only known to those who have gone
through this most painful, but least praised part of a publication."

William Oldys (1696-1761)

Although every book is
different, typical rates based on indexable pages are: